Summary
- Faculty of Education, Law & Social Sciences
- School
- School of Social Sciences
- Tariff
- 300 - A minimum of 300 UCAS tariff points (excluding General Studies) or equivalent, plus four GCSEs including English and Maths at grade C or above.
- Duration
- Full Time: 3 years
Part Time: 5 years
- Fees
- Full Time: £3,290 per year
Part Time: £27 per credit
International Students: £9,250 International GDL
Overview
Please note that
we are an BPS accredited course, those who apply this year 2010 will get the
accredited degree for the full 3 years providing they achieve a minimum of a
final 2:2 degree classification and complete an empirical piece of work.
Birmingham City University are in the process of applying for reaccreditation
during the academic year 2010-2011, for cohort groups who will be join after in
2011.
Psychology derives from the Greek words “psyche” meaning mind, soul, spirit and “logos” (knowledge, discourse or study) and psychology literally means the study of mind and behaviour. The discipline covers almost every aspect of human (and animal) functioning, thinking and behaviour. Psychology can be applied to a wide variety of situations and scenarios ranging from the analysis, treatment, assessment and prevention of mental and psychological disorders to lifespan development, group and societal thinking and behaviour and human/computer interactions.
If you are interested in human behaviour and, importantly, want to look into the reasons behind how and why people behave, function or think in a particular way then the study of psychology could be right for you. As a student of psychology you have to ask questions, explore issues and build your answers based on evidence. Have you ever considered why criminals re-offend? What is in the mind of a terrorist? What is the cause of stress? Why do people become depressed? Why are certain individuals prone to develop psychological or mental disorders, e.g. eating disorders? How does psychology explain contemporary societal events/issues such as ecopsychology? If you are inspired to learn then psychology can help you to answer these questions and more.
Psychology is the study of how individuals behave, think, perceive and interact with the world around them as well as the impact others can have on the individual. This course will enable you to explore these and other areas from the many perspectives that exist within psychology and teach you to reach valid possible conclusions based on scientific underpinnings. The Psychology Division comprises a highly qualified teaching and research team who ensure that you receive a high quality experience.
Key Facts
- You will benefit from our long established expertise within the areas of:
- Counselling and Counselling Psychology
- Health Psychology
- Criminal and Forensic Psychology
- Business and Organisational Psychology
- Research (Qualitative and Quantitative).
- The University (Health) has been awarded the teaching of higher excellence where these high standards are seen within the classroom itself.
- The BSc (Hons) Psychology programme is supported by dedicated E-prime individual and large teaching laboratories, as well as Psychology laboratory teaching rooms.
- The programme is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS)
Course Outline
Course Structure
The programme aims to provide you with:
- Knowledge and understanding of the main areas of psychology, including their historic and scientific development, conceptualisation and explanation of psychological thinking, functioning and behaviour and relevance to contemporary issues.
- The development of knowledge and understanding of the application of psychology to specialist areas within the discipline.
- The development of appropriate research methods, research skills and ethical considerations required within psychology research and their application to your dissertation.
- The ability to think critically and creatively about theoretical, empirical and applied issues in psychology and their inter-relationships.
- Active learning and transferable skills that are appropriate for a psychology graduate.
- The ability to meet the standards set by the British Psychological Society for eligibility for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) status and/or adequate preparation for the qualifying examination for GBC.
Studying psychology with Birmingham City University also gives you the opportunity to benefit from the expertise of specialist departments within the Division of Psychology.
In particular, we have long-established expertise within:
- Counselling and Counselling Psychology
- Health Psychology
- Criminal and Forensic Psychology
- Business and Organisational Psychology
- Coaching Psychology
All of these are chartered areas in psychology. We also specialise in non-chartered areas.
The University has also been awarded the teaching of higher excellence where these high standards are seen within the classroom itself.
You’ll be supported by specialist facilities such as psychology computer teaching laboratories, an E-Prime psychology laboratory, individual E-Prime laboratories and a counselling suite. Computers in the psychology laboratories are supported by E-Prime (E-Prime and individual laboratories), editing and research packages. Other supporting equipment - such as a two way mirror - also support psychology experiments. All these facilities are maintained by a dedicated technician.
Our facilities are supported by state-of-the art software ranging from a new editing suite, feedback (audio and visual) cameras/equipment, and software such as E-Prime, SPSS, Pinnacle Studio and NVIVO.
To tailor your degree you will be able to choose optional modules within the areas of:
- Health Psychology
- Criminal and Forensic Psychology
- Business and Organisational Psychology
- Occupational Psychology
- Popular Images and Psychological Understanding
- Coaching Psychology
- Counselling Psychology
- Human Computer Interaction
In your final year you will carry out independent study into an area of psychology of your choice, this is of particular benefit if you wish to go onto further specialist postgraduate study. Staff on the course will each be specialists within one of the particular branch areas and will have links with chartered branch psychology divisions.
Staff will also be happy to facilitate students who wish to gain some work experience in addition to the taught programme. Current students have been involved in work settings such as psychology research (in both participatory and data collection roles), shadowing Clinical and Educational Psychologists and health related areas of work.
Throughout your studies you will also have a personal tutor who will help you to keep your psychology e-portfolio updated. The e-portfolio will demonstrate how you have met the core areas of GBC (providing that you obtain a 2:2 or above), as well as completing a C.V. that is tailored for your career following graduation.
Throughout the programme, there is continual emphasis placed on both chartered and non-chartered areas in psychology that are available to psychology graduates.
Modules
Core modules on this programme are based on the GBC psychology areas recommended by the BPS. Areas on which these modules will be based are:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Biological Psychology
- Research Methods Quantitative
- Research Methods Qualitative
- Social Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Conceptual and Historical Issues in Psychology
- Empirical Work
Other areas represented as core modules are:
- Psychopathology and Abnormal Psychology
- Origins in Psychology
- Contemporary Issues and Psychology
- Emerging Debates in Psychology
There is also a strong emphasis on skills that enhance the employability of psychology undergraduates, as represented by the Personal Development Planning in Psychology modules.
As an option, you’ll also have the opportunity to explore both chartered and non-chartered areas in Psychology and Applied Psychology during levels 5 and 6. Examples of these modules are:
Chartered
- Health Psychology
- Counselling Psychology
- Criminal and Forensic Psychology
- Counselling Psychology
- Occupational Psychology
Applied Areas of Psychology
- Coaching Psychology
- Human Computer Interaction
- Cultural Psychology
- Popular Images and Psychological Understanding
Assessments
Assessment is through a variety of methods including exams, psychology laboratory reports, empirical work, journal critique essay and poster presentation.
After your studies
Further Studies
- MA Criminology
- MA Criminological Research
- MSc Integrative Psychotherapy
- MPhil/PhD in one of the specialist areas being Health, Business, Forensic, Public Health/Promotion and Sociology
Employment Opportunities
A psychology degree opens up a wide range of career opportunities both within and outside the psychology field. Within the psychology field you can become a qualified psychologist, after postgraduate studies, leading to roles in clinical psychology, educational psychology, forensic psychology, health psychology and other career paths.
A psychology degree will also equip you with a host of transferable skills which can lead to careers such as human resources, counselling, teaching, research, government and many more.
This programme is accredited by the British Psychological Society. Providing that you complete this programme and obtain a 2:2 or above (including the completion of your empirical piece of work) you will also gain GBC (Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership) on graduation.
How to apply
Entry Requirements
A minimum of 300 UCAS tariff points (excluding General Studies) or equivalent, plus four GCSEs including English and Maths at grade C or above. A typical offer would be BBB at A Level.
Advanced Diplomas and Progression Diplomas are not accepted for this course.
Students with non-standard qualifications will be considered.
Application Details
For full-time study please apply through UCAS (C800). For part-time study apply direct to School. Tel: +44 (0)121 331 7300 Email: socialsciences@bcu.ac.uk
Search for this course on UCAS.
To study this course part-time please apply direct to the faculty. You can
Apply online or call us for an application form.
For general information about applying to study at Birmingham City University, please refer to the Making your Application section.
International enquirers may contact the International Office for further help and advice.
Fees Notes
If you already have an equivalent level qualification, you may be charged a higher fee for your course. For further information visit the fees area of the Student Info section.
Further Information
Division of Psychology
Birmingham City University
3rd Floor Dawson Building
City North Campus
Birmingham
B42 2SU
Tel: 0121 331 6367 / 5116
School of Social Sciences:
Tel: +44 (0)121 331 7300
Fax: +44 (0)121 331 6622
Email: socialsciences@bcu.ac.uk
Web: www.bcu.ac.uk/psychology